VIA Unveils Next-Generation Isaiah x86 Processor

VIA Unveils Next-Generation Isaiah x86 Processor Architecture

New architecture provides substantial increases in performance and functionality with leading power efficiency to enable next generation "Small is Beautiful" computing devices

Austin, Texas, US, 24 January 2008 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of x86 silicon and platform technologies, today announced details of the VIA Isaiah Architecture, a new x86 processor architecture that will deliver significant boosts to the functionality and performance of desktop, mobile and ultra mobile PCs while minimizing power requirements, saving on battery life and enabling ultra compact system designs.

Designed from the ground up by the company's US-based processor design subsidiary, Centaur Technology Inc., the VIA Isaiah Architecture combines all the latest advances in x86 processor technology, including a 64-bit superscalar speculative out-of-order microarchitecture, high-performance multimedia computation, and a new virtual machine architecture. The first generation of Isaiah-based products will be pin-compatible with the VIA C7 processor family, enabling a smooth transition for system builders and providing them with an easy upgrade path for current designs.

The first processors implementing the VIA Isaiah Architecture will use proven 65 nanometer technology for greater power efficiency, which, combined with new enhanced power and thermal management capabilities, will ensure the best performance per watt on the market and help drive the rapidly emerging categories of green, silent and small form factor desktop PCs and home media centers, and ultra thin and light notebooks and mini-notes.

"Today is an exciting day for everyone at Centaur," commented Glenn Henry, President, Centaur Technology Inc. "With a team of less than one hundred first-class engineers, we have created from scratch the world's most power-efficient x86 processor architecture with state of the art features, outstanding performance, and flexible scalability for the future."

"The introduction of the new VIA Isaiah Architecture is an extremely significant milestone in VIA's processor business," commented Wenchi Chen, President and CEO, VIA Technologies, Inc. "In achieving these new levels of functionality and performance, it provides the ideal complement to our industry-leading family of low power VIA C7 processors and will enable us to further extend our growing presence in the global x86 processor market."